Ikiru: Life Changing Films
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- čas přidán 8. 12. 2020
- This video is about the life changing Masterpiece, by legendary director Akira Kurosawa, that you've never seen.
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Music:
Nigel Good: It Starts
Kaiji Soundtrack: Chorus
Mare: Tranquillitatis
Kanji Watanabe: Gondola No Uta
K Ent: No More Heroes - Krátké a kreslené filmy
It really does Akira an injustice that he's only recognized for his samurai films. This film was a masterpiece. He was truly a deep and brooding person.
Agreed. Deep and brooding definitely him.
Yes, this film is recognized worldwide as one of the greatest movies ever made in the history of cinema.
while I wouldn't consider this Akira Kurosawa's best movie, I do still think it would trip somewhere into the top 60 best movies of all time
Dersu Uzala is an another masterpiece
I watched this film in 2015, I think. Ever since then, it's been stuck at the back of my head like a splinter. It must have influenced my decision to ditch the university (in 2017) and pursue my dream of becoming an artist. For several years I would stay up and practice until morning, alone, in an apartment closely resembling the Paper Street House, with my friends and relatives constantly poking fun at me. Since then I've actually started making money off of my skills and I'll be purchasing a new home within the next two years. And I know Kurosawa's masterpiece had always been there in my memory, reminding me to never trade living for what the society considers happiness.
Congratulations! That's huge to be able to make a living off of doing something you love. I think that's what secretly everyone wants, but yeah this film has a timeless message about what is to live. Whether that's making the most out of a job your stuck with or like you and pursuing a dream.
That’s amazing, hope you are keeping forward.
Kurosawa’s main draw is samurai films, but you stay for the humanity that’s on display. And nothing in the world is more human than Ikiru
One of the greatest films ever made.
No doubt!
I can't watch this film without tearing up every 10min, This movie broke me
Yeah especially in the funeral I kept crying
The part where he sings always gets me.
I lost my leg to cancer when I was 19 and did a year of gruelling chemotherapy. I have a very different and brave outlook on life now. Some things are so inconsequential and hence I have no fear, I have no anxiety, for I know it all fades away as I do when I return to ash. This human life is so tormented and constantly ravaged by small things which seem grand at the time and yet are so petty. If I am to live, I live for a meaning, not a hunk of flesh and bone but I wish to strive for something lasting, something which satisfies the natural human soul. I have become so much more open, relaxed, cunning and unafraid to reach out. When we deconstruct these ideas of human interaction, it's all so hilariously simple and yet so few of us do it. Perhaps much like seemingly monotonous university assignments, man only truly feels the weight of potential regret, when he is given a deadline.
So well expressed. Thank you for sharing your story.
@@mkkrupp2462 thanks mate
Beautiful words. Hopefully, someone else will reply to this so that it'll show up on my notif and I can visit this again.
Akira Kurosawas unbroken chain of cinematic masterpieces during the 1950s is unequaled within the entire history of motion pictures.
I tend to watch analysise and videos of films I really enjoy after I finish them, and since this is the one I'm starting with, I'd just like to give my take on the film.
The thing that caught me off-guard with Ikiru was how the funeral was presented. At first it seemed a bit much going back and forth between Watanabe's final days and the people reminiscing, but that's when I realised that this movie wasn't just about clinging to life, it was about resting in death. It's split down the middle, between an old man trying to find some gleam of purpose to make up for lost time, and then immediately cutting him short at his hottest moment. The fact that the "death" chapter of Ikiru, if you will, exists at all is proof enough that in death Watanabe managed to accomplish something. It's not just a corporate formality, his actions had weight even once he was gone, which shows itself in the final, hopeful scene of the movie.
Another thing I'd like to mention is Watanabe as a person. Call it symbolism if you want, but something I noticed was the scale of Watanabe throughout parts of the film. Take, for example, when he's partying in the city. He's seemingly having the time of his life, feeling as if this is what it means to truly live. But even still, he's surrounded by people. Sometimes you can't even tell where he is in a huge crowd, because despite being in a euphoric state he's still just one of many fleeting heads.
And then, he starts to sing. And suddenly, everyone goes silent, the moment is fixated on him. In his confidence, or possibly lack thereof, he starts to live even if the young people around him might not understand. This symbolism is also shown in other scenes, like when Watanabe remains stood up to cheer on his son in baseball, without noticing everyone else is seated, but you get the idea. Good filmmaking. Experiencing all life has to offer in his final days. Neon lights, pretty girls, jazzy music, and yet his confidence only shows when he's staring down some thugs in some hallway, or begging a deputy mayor to reconsider a proposal. It's not glamorous, it's not the blaze of glory people imagine when asked "What would you do if you only had six months left to live?" And yet, for Watanabe, it's everything he's ever wanted; true happiness. After all, being mortal is not about what you do in life, but what you do on death.
Finally, I'd just quickly like to mention the actor: Takashi Shimura. This has got to be one of the most believable depictions of a character I have ever seen. In honesty, he reminded me of my late grandfather in his final weeks. Almost like he hated to be a burden, and yet never relied on taking pity on himself. Shimura has the eyes of a man who knows he is close to death but keeps living because that's all he knows how to do. I miss my grandfather, and almost ashamedly, I never cried at his passing. But, with this film it felt like I was looking at him one more time. I never incorporate sentimentality into my opinions on a film, or what rating I think it deserves, because to be frank I never have much of an attachment to movies in general. But, even with that in mind I believe this is one of the best films I have ever watched. It's really brilliant.
This is a film that has been at the top of my list for a while, I really need to sit down and finally watch it!
Not a samurai flick, but no doubt a top tier Kurosawa and just a great commentary on life. As an added bonus it goes with the holiday spirit. Enjoy!
Bring a box of kleenex :D
Three years on... did you watch it?
One of the most incredible movies I sat through it’s my 2nd favourite movie of all time it blew me away and shows Kurosawas talents stretch further than samurai movies
What is the 1st one?
I saw this movie back in 2010, I had put off college two years before to deal with what I wanted in life and my father’s out of the blue death. Watching the movie got me to enjoy the smaller things in life but also pursue what made me happy. Life is never fully done with us though, and there are other lessons to learn.
Your ending note.. really made me emotional. I lost my husband to cancer recently he was only 40 when he passed. All he did was worked extra hard so that he can live well. But he was gone too soon..😢
I'm sorry for your loss, truly.
Maybe he made the most out of life by working extra hard to make a difference. Our time is limited, and we often forget to make the most out of it.
I came across this film for the same reason - a brush with cancer, I still do experience it on and off as that's the sad thing about cancer is it likes to try and come back. I thought at one point I would die from it and fell into a hole of sadness not wanting to get out. This film changed my life and changed my attitude for the better. I rewatch this movie annually to remind myself to live and that so quickly life can be taken away without a moments notice. Beautiful summary of my favourite film, I couldn't have described it better if I tried
Thank you for sharing your story, I really appreciate that and I finally found someone that sees this story from the same perspective as me. We are both survivors and only we can understand this film and what it is to live. This film makes it an important point to not dwell on our misfortunes but instead to use them to drive us forward.
@@bushidoblues9302 yes absolutely. I let myself have a small moment of feeling betidden with woe. Then I picked myself up and have been using it to drive myself forward ever since. Death is out of my control but what is in my control is how I react to it. I can let it consume me with grief or I can harness that to live my best life with true meaning. Its rare to find others who have had a glimpse of death and have been better for it. You're right in that it makes us understand the film that much more. Thanks for the enlightening discussion
Greatest film ever made.
Thank you so much for recommending this film. Just watched it on the back of your analysis. You are right, it is truly life changing as I am in the throes of questioning my own purpose in life and work. More importantly I am sorry to hear about your battle with cancer and I hope you are well. I just want to let you know that your CZcams video does make a difference, just like Mr Watanabe’s struggle with the community project. Though I have also learnt the hard way that many around us are all too prepared to claim credits for themselves like we saw in the movie. The movie is far more superior in that it forces the viewer to truly embrace one’s life work as worthwhile in and of itself without the need for wider recognition. So thank you so much for recommending this life changing film.
Thank you I really appreciate that. I'm glad you found the film just as profound as I did and thanks for taking the time to watch it. You made a really good point that I didn't realize. Yes the message of the film is also to take pride in your work
Thank you very much for this well put together video you uploaded. This movie was a life changer for me and all other 8 times I seen it. Just watching your recap is warming like this movie. Ikiru and many other movies like this is how I pick out my friends, and those I will spend my time with. They don't have to cry like me during movie... I tell them just take a break from what is not adding to our experience and watch this. U have added another video to my list to help me sort out my friends from those who need to be no more than just acquaintances.
Thank you
One of the best films ever
Thank you
Thank you for pouring yourself into this channel. I'm going through the same journey and it helps.
I'm sorry to hear that. No one should have to go through that. I'm here if you need someone to talk to.
For me, it was a wake-up call. Afterwards, life never tasted sweeter or looked more beautiful. Cherish every moment and appreciate every minute with the ones you love.
@@bushidoblues9302 God bless you sir
@@bushidoblues9302 I see that you haven't reviewed Nakadai's trilogy 'the human condition.' Have you seen it? It is a genuine masterpiece.
SPOILER ALERT
This film got me after many years of burnout to suddenly feel a drive to work on my game business again.
I went into this movie hoping to see the main character find some interesting purpose after obviously quitting his dead end job.
I was caught completely by surprise that after all the searching for something to do after his diagnosis the main character had the epiphany to return to his job and actually just really do it!
This influenced me to reconsider what i always felt was obvious, that if i was gonna die then obviously id stop working on my game app business cause what's the point. Now instead i feel like holy fuck i gotta create some awesome games before i die, my work is all that would remain after i die. Maybe if i was really gonna die then going full on into my game work would be the most meaningful thing to do.
There's other things too in this movie that made me think, but the fact he went back to his job is what surprised me the most and made me change my perspective on how i viewed things.
It's like this film helped feel like i wanted to leave my mark in society even if something as meaningless as making games, because in the movie the girl got a job in a factory making robot bunnies and yet was so happy, so if that can feel meaningful somehow, then why not my games too. It's kind of like if im gonna die then who cares if its just games im making, im gonna make something awesome and that's that.
I never thought a movie would change my life.
It’s my favorite movie all time gondola no uta makes me cry every time it’s tragic how people don’t talk about this movie enough and it’s so influential, truly one of the greatest flims of all time
April 2024- I Have just watched the very good movie "Living" which is based on and credits "Ikiru". It is set in Britain during the same era and practically the same story, complete with the children's swing. The leading actor is Bill Nighy.
I've been meaning to watch that one! I heard nothing but praise
Ikiru and Rashomon to me was life change completely changed my views of the world and people. I am thankful I am no longer the negative, toxic, hateful person I was years ago there are many aspects of it in me still but it is something I am trying to improve.
Lovely video. Thank you!
I have loved this movie for long and recommended it to a friend today. Just discovered this review and recommended it, too. Many thanks for your in-depth descriptions and explanations.
i watched seven samurai and this dude was my favorite character, like a leader u can just completely rely on to be cool and eventually lead you to victory. imagine my joy when i turn on kurosawa's "ACTUAL" best movie and hes the lead. course he did not disappoint. i love how the movie's first half is witnessing his journey in first person. and then second half is just compeltely based on second hand accounts, like he has become a legend. if seven samurais revolutionzed the "ensemble cast" trope, this movie lowkey revolutionzed the "remembrance / second hand" trope
This video was beautiful!
Just finished watching it thanks to this recommendation. Very very powerful.
Thank you for this profound gift. Subscribed. I'm sorry to hear you have dealt with Cancer as well, and I hope you're healthy now and doing well. I, too, have found that the act of Creation gave me the motivation to live so I became a Storyteller. That scene from Fight Club changed me when I first saw it, I never forgot it. I can hear the raw emotion and truth in your voice, thank you for opening your heart and for having the courage to follow your dreams and show others it's possible. Blessings from Jerusalem, fellow traveler, may your stars shine bright and illuminate the world.
Beautiful presentation.
Thanks brother...
youre leaving a mark brother! godspeed!
Appreciate it! 🙏
Thank you so much for making this! "Ikiru" is by far one of my favorite movies and has truly changed my perspective in life. Your video is an excellent analysis for such a brilliant film.
Thank you. Yes this film really is brilliant and it's message will forever be suitable. I always get something new out of it no matter how many times I watch it. I wish their were more films like it.
Awesome review!!
I watched Ikiru for the first time when I was in my teens and never forgot it. I try to watch it once a year and learn something new from it each time. For me this is the Japanese version of Its a Wonderful Life. Watching the ending makes me feel the same way when I saw the famous “Tears in rain” speech in Blade Runner. Makes you realize there is much more to life than living day to day without changing peoples live. You are an accumulation of everyone you have ever interacted with during your life. The way you treat people is the same way they will remember you once you pass. This film represents this to me and ensures I never forget that.
man this movie is a masterpiece
Watched this film today in my Philosophy class… Your video did it justice and asked all the right questions and gave all the right answers. Loved your personal connection in the conclusion, thank you for your amazing insight into such a beautiful film.
You're welcome! I wish my old philosophy class showed us this gem.
Your beautiful review made me shed a tear... I hope you are in a good health now and that you found your happiness in life.
Thank you! I wish the same for you too.
Ever since I watched Breaking Bad, I liked citing Ikiru as a possible inspiration for the show. Then I re-watched this video and it occurred to me that this would make one of my favorite shows of all time one of the many things inspired by Akira Kurosawa like Star Wars and Fistful of Dollars. Now that's badass.
Major Spoilers for Breaking Bad Below:
I like seeing Kanji Watanabe and Walter White as two sides of the same coin. Where Kanji Watanabe used his deadline to do good, Walter White ended up doing bad and causing harm to people around him. However, I do think a little bit of Ikiru's message still rings true at the end of the series. When Walter White had nothing left to lose, he pulled one last trick up his sleeve and tried to right the wrongs he made by admitting his selfishness to Skyler, avenging his brother in law and saving Jesse Pinkman. When Walter White finally dies, he dies content, knowing that in the end, he did what he could and for him that was enough. It's for that reason why I think the ending to Breaking Bad is the greatest finale in television history and I could even see a little bit of it in the final episode of Gravity Falls where Grunkle Stan sacrifices himself.
This is why I love Akira Kurosawa so much. Some people say that the greatest artists steal, but I personally disagree. I think the best astists are the ones who take inspiration and inspire others. Kurosawa took inspiration from other artists and made many masterpieces which inspired more artists to make their own masterpieces.
EDIT: Now that I think about it, I wonder if Stanley Kubrick saw Ikiru before making a lot of his movies in two halves.
Thank you for this great presentation of Ikiru. For me too is one of most important pieces of art I saw, a life changer. Being interested in Heidegger, Nietzsche, Nishida, Nishitani, Zen andTao.. this film makes a great contribution to converge all. Your presentation makes Ikiru easier to understand and more attractive to important philosophical questions.
Thank you. I'm glad you found the film as impactful as I did. Truly a special film.
The reward for doing the right thing at the right time is doing the right thing at the right time.
Just watch 'Living' 2022. I loved it. After that I found your Video. Thank you for your work, it was Brilliant, and made me smile. Best wishes sent from Scotland,
Thank you!! I appreciate that!
I still have yet to see Living. If it's anything like Ikiru I'm sure I'll like it.
As much as I love "The bad sleep well at night" as well as "High and low" this is my favorite Kurosawa movie. The way it's shot, the soundtrack, the message every last minute of this movie is just amazing.
Not seen this but saw 'Living' last week. Most excellent with Bill Nighy just mesmerising
Is it out already? How'd you watch it?
@@bushidoblues9302 T'was in the uk cinemas last week.
It has a very limited run in the states and not until December 23rd unfortunately. It was good though?
@@bushidoblues9302 Yes. I thought it was excellent. It's set in London so I understand the British vibe at the time. Not sure if that will translate in other countries.
Well worth seeing.
Beautiful review of a beautiful film
Thank you
The recent English film 'Living (2022)' is a copied version of Ikiru. Sad that they don't credit the original film, but such is the case of most films. The greatest praise an original film can get is to be copied and not be credited, for it was that underappreciated to not be worth a mention, yet so praiseworthy that someone put all their resources into copying it. Kudos Ikiru, your message shall live far beyond your name.
Imagine remaking a perfect movie
Have to say the song he sings has some really good inversion of similar scenes with he in the bar versus him on the swing. In the bar in his attempts to live the life he thought he lost he sings the song as a bitter affirmation of his impending death with that kind of life being shown as vacuous and as meaningless as when he’s inert in his office job. It isn’t until after he’s lived a life he found purpose in with the swing scene that he can sing that song as a way to affirm the brief but meaningful life he’s lived moments before his death with the officer who found him even remarking that though his corpse was cold when he found him he looked as though he had been at peace in his final moments contrasting the weight and sorrow of that song’s meaning in the bar leaving him broken as a person.
absolutely agree on your film analysis, most especially your personal views on our "Reasons for Being." God bless our "Ikiru"
great video man
Thank you!
One of the lessons i got is watanabe realize the importance of happiness in childhood and I think that
Was the reason and source of dedication he build it and ofcourse the importance and apreciation of life. In the story when he was a child that he almost drowned yet his parents is far away for me the movie indicates that hes parents is away from him and he has a dpressing childhood. That’s why toyo rabbit toy motivates him to make the younger generation appreciate childhood and life. I think it explains the ending scene of the movie when the park is full of kids playing.
"I would like to make a film to tell children 'its good to be alive" -Hayao Mizayaki
A really well-done review. And I am happy to know you have survived cancer. I loved this film. I actually only saw it recently. It reminded me so much of the Yasujiro Ozu style of films, which tells a story about our mundane lives but looks more closely at them to reveal the intricacies of living. To be honest, I wasn't aware Kurosawa made such films, I thought his films were mostly large epic-style stories. I did notice a few actors in Ikiru who were also in some of Ozu's films. I wonder what Ozu thought of this film since it was so close to his storytelling.
Yeah Kurosawa's epics often overshadow his more humane sentimental movies. Red Beard has a similar feel to Ikiru. It shows he's capable of making more than 1 type of movie.
@@bushidoblues9302 I will have to definitely check out Red Beard. Thanks.
i really liked this movie,because it remainded me that you should never give up your life,hope and aim for anyone.we only realize how little time we have on earth when we are in danger,i think the feeling of death always being by your side is what makes life interesting.
Amazing vid man
Thank you!
Bill Knightly is starring in a movie that is based on this movie. It's called "Living"
Hope it's as good... because this was a masterpiece.
One of my favorite films, if not my favorite. The new British adaptation with Bill Nighy is also up there. Watched it on the flight home from Mexico and bawled like a baby.
I've been meaning to watch the Bill Nighy adaptation. Seems like a good one to watch around Christmas!
Very interesting. From what I've seen in the trailer for Living, I'm looking forward to seeing if the remake does Kurosawa justice.
Yeah I'm looking forward to watching Living.
Great video good job man great film
Thank you
Ah man, I've had this film in my kurosawa folder for over a year but was always afraid if I'd trigger an existential crisis in me , legit.
Lmao you might 🤣
Top Tier Kurosawa ❤️
The most scaring thing in life is you sacrificing for nothing
I wanted to leave something behind
Ikiru is the most depressing and uplifting movie of all time.
Haha yes
One particular aspect I would have liked the film to show is Watanabe straightening things out with his son, I feel Watanabe thought he sacrificed himself for his son but in reality he seems like an absent father who didn't even accompany his so to his surgery due to prioritizing his job and thi saddened me deeply since I couldn't be next to my dying grandmother due to my damn job... however I could have if I had insisted but in hat moment in time I was penniless and coming from a long unemployment and just was zombying my way through life totally absorbed in making it to the next month... I will never forgive this system for not allowing me the time to accompany my grandmother and I will never make that mistake that again.
Yeah I agree, Watanabe almost seemed like he was fed up with his son. I think he felt that after working his whole life for his son, it was about time he started living for himself. His son's wife also couldn't wait for him to die so they can take his inheritance and the son went along with it.
Also I'm sorry about your grandmother. Don't beat yourself up over it. This broken system makes it so that we sacrifice our precious time to be able to provide and nothing is more precious than our time on this planet.
wow
Breaking bad share only one part of that story: the premise of being sick but unlike ikiru Breaking bad is about something devoting the rest of his life to making something bad instead of something good.
Where I can watch this movie please😁 and it s a great video 👌🏼
Thank you! It may be on CZcams otherwise you can buy it on Amazon. It's worth it.
@@bushidoblues9302 thank you 💕
awesome video. Love this film so much aI've been thinking of getting a tattoo of it!
Thanks! A tattoo of him on a swing would be great.
Where can I watch?
You can rent it on CZcams. I think Criterion channel has it too
The no more heroes music at the end caught me so off guard
Yes but that track is very chill.
@@bushidoblues9302 great track and great game, pretty cool hearing it when you don't expect it
@@vergil7518 yeah I love the no more heroes series. I was also pleasantly surprised by how good the new one was.
@@bushidoblues9302 the new one got me back into Japanese films since they talk about Miike so much, so I guess it's the reason I'm watching this vid
@@vergil7518 I was already a big Miike fan so I especially appreciated Travis talking about how awesome the films are. Nm3 really is a love letter to Miike's style
I love Ikiru too but nothing last forever so leaving something behind is foolish. But it's true that you get some satisfaction when you change things in your life, you feel less powerless even if it's an illusion.
Please review Izo by Miike? Has a random appearance of Shaq.
I talk about it in my top 10 supernatural samurai films video. It's funny because Izo is actually a direct sequel to Hitokiri.
@@bushidoblues9302 really?? Guess I just need to watch your channel. Have you review The Human Condition?
@@bushidoblues9302 also where could one watch the Scandalous adventures of Bunraikan ?
@@Dravianpn02 right here. You can use the code BUSHIDO BLUES at checkout for a discount
samuraidvd.com/the-scandalous-adventures-of-buraikan/
@@Dravianpn02 I plan on watching the human condition real soon. Are the films really good?
Damn dude. You had a battle with cancer? How old are you? I assumed you were like, under 30... ish
Yeah man when I was 18 and again at 20. Been fine ever since (I'm 30).
wa ta NA be
Bich Ah ss
I don’t know why, but I didn’t find this film as sad as I think I should’ve. I’m not trying to be edgy or anything but I didn’t tear up or anything during the movie. Some of it was sad but then other parts I couldn’t tell if the characters were crying or angry and it took me out of it I guess. Thoughts?
I can tell you're not Japanese, so just helping.
It's not "Wa-TAH-na-be". It's _Wa-ta-NAH-be._
Here's another pointer: The Romanization of Japanese has one glaring mistake. The letter L should be used instead of R. James Hepburn oddly used Rs when he should've used Ls.
The proper pronunciation is "I-ki-LU", not I-ki-Ru.
La-men, not Ra-men. La-sha-mon, not Ra-sha-mon, Lan, not Ran, La-di-o, not Radio...
Thanks I appreciate that. That should help me in future videos!
Fight Club is 1999
The movie "Living" is complete plagiarism. This should be more common knowledge.